News Round-Up: August 22, 2018

Rodiney Santiago

Some news items you might have missed:

• One of my fave InstaHunks, Rodiney Santiago, is currently chronicling his journey through Italian islands where I was just two weeks ago! You have to click over and check out his gorgeous vacay pics. #MyTimingWasOff

• Pro-football player and convicted murderer Aaron Hernandez reportedly came out to his lawyer before committing suicide in 2015.

• Vermont Democratic gubernatorial candidate Christine Hallquist, the first trans candidate for govnernor of a major party, is receiving death threats.

• A self-identified Ku Klux Klan leader in Maryland has been sentenced to four years in prison for firing a gun into a crowd at the 2017 Nazi rally in Charlottesville.

• Craig Zadan, the prolific out producer who brought musicals like The Sound of Music, Jesus Christ Superstar, Gypsy and Cinderella back to television died unexpectedly at the age of 69 due to complications from shoulder surgery. His arious productions earned six Academy Awards, five Golden Globes, 17 Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards, a Grammy Award, six GLAAD Awards, four NAACP Image Awards and two Tony Awards.

Annie, The Music Man, Promises, Hairspray… Craig, you were there with me from the beginning. This is a true loss not only for me, but for the world. Rest in peace, sweetheart. pic.twitter.com/tl2rEtMNBM

— Kristin Chenoweth (@KChenoweth) August 22, 2018

I am shocked and saddened to hear of Craig Zadan’s passing. We collaborated on several projects…and he was always a joy to work with. His kindness and his creativity will surely be missed.

— Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) August 22, 2018

So much is going on in all our lives, but I do want to note the death yesterday of a wonderful man and a great friend, Craig Zadan, who was utterly devoted to restoring the American musical to its rightful place in our hearts. Thank you, Craig...

— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) August 22, 2018

I am shocked and saddened to hear of Craig Zadan’s passing.
He was a tireless supporter of so many ... including myself. He brought joy to countless people. He will be incredibly missed. Sending love and thoughts to his family and friends.

— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) August 22, 2018

Craig Zadan, together with Neil Meron, made a career and a LIFE of bringing musical theater into homes and to people everywhere, how do you begin to express gratitude for such a wondrous thing #RIPCraigZadan

— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) August 22, 2018

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Cruising In Italy

The first day at the pool - 'gay soup'

Sorry for the light posting lately, dear readers. I'm currently in Italy on the Atlantis gay cruise from Rome, Italy, to Barcelona, Spain, as an early celebration for hubby Michael's 50th birthday.

We're aboard the Celebrity Constellation and having an awesome time. Rich Campbell and his crew do such an awesome job of making these cruises so fun and inviting for the LGBT community.

Today, we woke up in Naples, Italy, and took part in an excursion to the island of Capri (the land of my husband, Michael Caprio's people) and Positano. In between landings, the boat we were on stopped for about half hour periods for the 12 of us on the trip to swim in the gorgeous blue ocean here.

I'll be sharing a bit more as the cruise progresses, but if you've never done an Atlantis Cruise, I highly recommend it.

And no, there was no paid sponsorship for the this post :)

The view from our cabin this morning as we docked in Naples, Italy

Just a bit of early morning encouragement

Michael swimming during a break in the day (I don't do 'ocean')

Inside the world-famous Blue Grotto near Capri, Italy

Michael being a bit nervous in the beautiful church in Positano, Italy

Positano, Italy, was beautiful

Italy Celebrates First Same-Sex Civil Union

It's not exactly marriage, but it's a step forward for Italy.

This past weekend the mayor of Rome officiated the country's first-ever same-sex civil union between Francisco Raffaele Villarusso and Luca de Sario in front of of family and friends.

“We had already decided do it and we moved abroad, but when the bill was approved we packed up all our things and came back to Italy,” said Villarusso.

From NewNowNext:

Italy was the last country in the European Union to allow for same-sex civil unions, which happened last May after a bill was passed that would have forced Prime Minister Matteo Renzi to step down if the vote failed.

Despite the progress, however, there is still headway to be made.

In addition to the bill being criticized for containing a controversial adoption clause, reports are indicating that if the couple tries to combine their last names instead of just choosing one over the other, they may run into tax and identity problems that heterosexual couples don’t have to deal with.

This Is What The Italian Police Force Looks Like

The Carabinieri is the national gendarmerie of Italy, policing both military and civilian populations. It originally was founded as the police force of the Kingdom of Sardinia.

#Woof

Rome's Trevi Fountain Lit Up In Rainbow Celebration For Civil Unions

Ok, so while Italy's newly approved civil unions may be "marriage lite," it is a step forward. Especially when you consider Italy was the only remaining major Western country to not recognize same-sex couples.

To celebrate the occasion and show solidarity, Rome's Trevi Fountain was lit with the rainbow.

Congrats Italy! #Forward

Italy Approves Civil Unions

After a long, protracted battle between Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and the Catholic Church, the Italian government has finally approved civil unions for gays and lesbians by a vote of 369-193.

Italy was the last major Western country to not recognize same-sex couples.

Italian Senate Approves Civil Unions

The Italian Senate has just approved legislation which would legalize civil unions in Italy by a vote of 173-71.

The bill will head to the House of Deputies where the legislation is expected to pass easily.

Italy is the only major Western European country to not recognize same-sex couples.

The legislation is not perfect in that it comes stripped of adoption rights. And, of course, it's not full marriage.

But sometimes, you have to move forward with whatever you can and live to fight another day.

Good going, Italy!

Greece & Italy Move Towards Legal Status For Same-Sex Couples

Two stories out today show positive steps for same-sex couples in Greece and Italy.

Almost 18 months after the European Court of Human Rights told Greece the same-sex couples needed some inclusion to legal protections, the Greek government looks intent on legalizing civil partnerships for all couples.

While encouraging, several months of work still lay ahead for the legislation. The bill is expected to go before the Greek Parliament later this summer.

Also, Italy's Lower House passed a motion to approve civil unions by a vote of 204-83.

The language of the legislation (similar to the civil unions law in Germany) states that the government will commit "to promote the adoption of a law on civil unions, particularly with regard to the condition of the people of same sex". It also says the government will "ensure equal treatment throughout the nation" of civil unions."

Italy: Court approves step-child adoption by same-sex couple

A terrific step forward for Italy as an Italian court approves the step-child adoption of a girl by the female partner of her biological mother.

From Gay Star News:

For the first time in Italian history, a court has granted permission for the adoption of a child living with a gay couple. The child is the biological daughter of one of the women, and her partner has been allowed to legally become her co-parent through adoption.

The couple have been living together in Rome since 2003, and the decision was taken by the city’s Juvenile Court. It’s believed that the child was conceived through IVF treatment abroad – where the couple also underwent a marriage ceremony.

In a statement, the women told Italy’s Republica newspaper that they were, ‘happy, almost incredulous’, with the decision.

‘This is a victory for children and all those children who are in the same situation of our child.’

Fabulous - Italian lawmakers stop to hug and kiss in support for hate crimes bill

Five Star Movement (M5S) politicians staged a kissing protest in the Italian parliament during a debate on an anti-homophobia bill, calling for more rights for gay people.

The bill was passed on Thursday by the lower house and aims to see a 1993 anti-discrimination law extended to crimes motivated by homophobia or transphobia.

A total of 354 politicians voted in favour of the bill and 79 against, La Repubblica reported.

The parliamentary debate was interrupted when dozens of M5S politicians stood in unison and began kissing and hugging each other. Fellow politicians from Beppe Grillo’s party held signs that called for “more rights” for gay people.

Tweeting a photo of the protest (above), MP Federica Daga said “equal rights and dignity without gender. Because a kiss and a hug are not scary”.

While the bill has now been passed by the lower house, Silvio Berlusconi’s People of Freedom (PdL) party said it would fall in the Senate vote, La Repubblica reported.

(source)